BURLINGTON — Police say a Vermont man charged with first-degree murder in an elderly woman’s death has apparently died of natural causes at a hospital.

Vermont State Police said 76-year-old Carlton Bickford of Glover died overnight Friday while at Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Burlington. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday to determine the cause of death.

Lyndonville police said last month that Bickford told them he killed 72-year-old Rachel Coburn of Barton.

Coburn was found dead at her home from a gunshot wound. Lyndonville police said the two argued, Bickford left, got a shotgun and shells, and returned to the home, then argued with her again before shooting her. Police said he then tried to take his own life, but suffered only a grazing injury to his shoulder.